Cadre member Sergeant Major John C. Anderson, served with the Army ROTC Golden Buffalo Battalion from 1975-1981 at the University of Colorado Boulder
SGM John Anderson, Cadre member from 1975-1981.
Sergeant Major John C. Anderson was born in Riga, Latvia. He attended school there until the summer of 1944, when he was drafted by the German Air Force Auxiliary. He operated anti-aircraft balloons for the Germans. On April 14, 1945 he surrendered to Advancing American troops at Thuering, Germany where he was guarding a hydro-electric station. SGM Anderson said, “I didn’t want to get captured by Russians. I was lucky I was able to surrender to Americans.”
He was in an American P.O.W. camp until July, 1945. From then until the summer of 1947, he spent time in different Displaced Person camps. In July 1947, he went to Belgium, where he worked for three years in coal mines. In the summer of 1950, he returned to Germany and spent one year in the American Labor Service Co., guarding different American military installations.
In mid-summer 1951, the Lodge Bill Act came into effect. Under this act, 2500 people from behind the Iron Curtain were able to enlist in the U.S. Army. After five years of service, they were eligible for American citizenship. He said, “That’s how I came to the U.S. Army.” He attended Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1951. In March 1952, he went to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he specialized in Psychological Warfare.
In July 1952, he joined a newly activated Special Forces group. He was with the Special Forces until July 1975. Of the 23 years, he spent 17 in Germany. He served at Badtoelz, Germany, the home of the 10th Special Forces Group.
During his time with Special Forces, he trained with the following allied military schools:
- Austrian Ski Instruction
- Austrian rock-climbing
- German military mountaineering
- French military mountaineering
- Turkish Commando School
- High Altitude Low Opening School
- Scuba Diving
- Under-water Demolition
He served two tours in Vietnam, from October 1965 to October 1966, and March 1968 to December 1969.
He has received the following awards:
- Combat Infantry Badge
- Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
- Bronze Star Medal with Oakleaf cluster
- Army Commendation Medal
- American Master Parachutist Badge
- French Parachutist Badge
- German Parachutist Badge
- Vietnamese Parachutist Badge
- Greek Parachutist Badge
- Nine Awards of the Good Conduct Medal
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SGM John C. Anderson, at his ROTC office desk.
In his own words, (in reference to the parachutist badges) “It’s no big deal if you’re a parachutist.”
Service to CU-Boulder Army ROTC
During the period 29 July 1975 to 30 August 1981, Sergeant Major Anderson distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service as the Detachment Sergeant Major at the University of Colorado.
SGM John Anderson, shaking hands with unknown person.
SGM Anderson’s loyalty, dedication to duty and desire to do whatever is required to complete the mission is equaled by few non-commissioned officers.
He has excelled in his detachment duties as illustrated by the comments of the 1981 Annual Formal Inspection team and he consistently completes required actions in an outstanding manner.
SGM Anderson has participated in four ROTC Advanced Camps and served in his last assignment as the Recondo NCOIC at the 1981 Advanced Camp. His professional competence is aptly illustrated in that he has personally been selected every year to supervise the Recondo portion of the Advanced Camp. The importance of this selection becomes increasingly more apparent when it is realized that the Recondo training is generally the highlight of the Advanced Camp.
SGM Anderson’s Special Forces experiences has engendered a positive interpersonal relationship with the cadets who respect and admire professionalism of his caliber. He has advised, instructed and supervised all adventure training the cadets have requested to include winter survival, cross-country skiing, rappelling, rope-bridges, and rafting. In addition he has supervised organizations such as the Rangers and Pershing Rifles on weekend exercises and also with their adventure training.
Retired SGM John C. Anderson, in the CU-Boulder Army ROTC office on April 6, 2011.
SGM Anderson’s professional Special Forces expertise, unceasing dedication to country and outstanding duty performance have made him a very distinct asset to the success of the University of Colorado ROTC program and reflects great credit upon himself, the non-commissioned officer corps and the United States Army.
SGM John C. Anderson retired from the Army on October 1, 1981.